Okay. I lied, watching V race is the second best thing I've ever seen. The first? Watching her drive my car. She's sexy doing just about everything, but there's something primal about her being behind the wheel of MY car. The radio is on, but it's low, like background noise. I watch her drive the car with ease, like driving is second nature to her, and I guess in a way, it is. I'm comfortable just sitting here, watching her, but it's clear she's not when she speaks.

"Take a picture, it'll last longer." she quips, her eyes flashing to me,then back to the road. Good idea. I whip out my phone, and snap a picture.

"Seriously? I was joking, you better delete that."

"No way. This moment is one to remember. I may just hire you to be my chauffeur."

I watch her mouth as a smile plays on them. Those lips, I want to taste so badly. I bet they're like little puffy pillows, soft and inviting. I clear my throat and look out the window, I need to think of something else before I have a noticeable tent in my jeans.

"Is it good to be home?" she asks quietly.

I drum my fingers on my pants, taking in her question. I inhale deeply, then slowly exhale. "Yes, It's definitely good to be home. Sleeping in my bed, and not a cot. It's an adjustment, for sure, but knowing that I won't be shot at while walking around. It's relieving." I hear her breath hike.

"You were shot at?"

"Well yeah, there's a war going on V." I tell her gently.

"I mean, I know, but I just didn't realize."

"I wasn't out in the field much, I'm a tech. We still train for battle, but it doesn't compare to actually being shot at."

"Geszus. Do you have to go back?"

"Yes, eventually. I don't know if they'll call me back, or when. It could be a year, or a month."

"A month? Seriously? You just got back."

I shrug, even though she can't really see me. "It's how it works."

She's gone quiet, chewing on her bottom lip. She's worried about me, and that pulls at my heart. I like that she's worrying, but I don't want to be that burden on her. I lean over the console, reach out and pull her bottom lip from her mouth, my hand lingering on her chin. She looks at me, startled, eyes wide. She quickly looks back at the road, and I can see her breathing has become rapid. I move my hand to the center console, but I don't move back. I need to change the conversation, to something a little lighter.

"How's your senior year going? Do you have any college plans?" Lame, but a safe topic.

She clears her throat, "It's going." She says simply, "We plan on going to state."

"We?"

"Yeah, Taylor and I."

"Watch out now, the trouble sisters on the loose at State. Takin' names and breakin' hearts." I laugh.

She lightly back hands me on the shoulder, "We are not trouble!"

"You and Taylor? Oh yes, you are! Walking, Talking, Double Trouble!"

"Whatever." she shakes her head, "You're one to talk!"

"OOH! What does that mean?"

"You and Vance? Takin' names and breakin' hearts."

"That's all Vance." I say and look out the window.

"Uh huh." she mumbles.

I decide, fuck it. I lean back in my seat, "You jealous?"

She quickly looks at me, then back at the road, "What?"

"You heard me, sounds like jealousy." I sigh and place my arms behind my head.

"Jealous of what? The", she takes her one hand off the wheel to air quote the next word, " 'lucky' ladies that get to hook up with you guys, and you don't have the decency to call them back?"

"Ouch." I wince. "I don't care how you view your brother, but you really think that of me?"

She shrugs.

"Don't get me wrong, I like women." She makes a face. "What?"

"Nothing."

"Why did you make that face then?"

She sighs, then shifts gears. "You sound like such a whore."

"Just because I like women? It doesn't mean I've slept with as many as you may think, it's the same with your brother."

"TMI dude."

"No, You went there, so we're goin' there. You like men, right?"

She glances at me and purses her lips.

"Yes?" I prompt.

"Yeah."

"Okay, so just because you like men, doesn't mean you're going to sleep with every one of them. Right?" She nods, "That's all I meant by it. I love women. Cut me some slack, I have some standards. When I'm really into someone, that's the only person I see. So whatever prejudice you have of me, forget it, because it's wrong."

"I'm sorry." she says quietly.

"It's important you know this."

"Why?"

"Like I said, when I'm into someone, they're the only person I see."

She glances at me, confusion written all over her face. "So you're into someone?" she questions.

"Yes."

"Okayyy. Well then, I guess it's good that she's all you see then."

"You have no idea." I say looking at her, she's completely oblivious as she turns into the parking lot of Victor's Garage. I have no idea what I'm doing here, for the first time ever, I'm way out of my league. The more time I spent around her, the more attracted I become. This shouldn't come as a surprise, she's amazing. The smart thing to do, would be to keep my distance, but I don't know if I'm smart enough for that anymore. I have to be careful, Vance would kill me, but I'll deal with that when it comes.

V pulls into a spot near the front office of the garage, then she pulls the e-break. She looks at me, giving me a weak smile, "Thanks for letting me drive."

"No problem, I told you I'd make it up to you." I return her smile.

Vance pulls up next to us, and V is out of my car without another word. I take a deep breath and get out, walking around the back of my car. Jeremy and Vaughn pull up behind us, but remain inside with the windows down. Vance says something to V then jogs over to the tow truck driver, directing him where to put V's car. He unloads, and waves as he drives out of the lot. V gets into the passenger side of Vance's car, and I'm a little bummed. I guess I just assumed we'd ride over to the field together. Vance walks back to his car, and whirls his finger around, "Let's roll." 

 I glance at the passenger side, but the window is up and I can't see through his tint. So I just get in my car and follow behind everyone to the field, trying to think where things went wrong in our conversation.

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